Other developments

Published 4:00 am, Wednesday, February 6, 2002

-- Special counsel: The Justice Department has announced that it sees no reason to appoint a special counsel to investigate Enron. "No person involved in pursuing this investigation has any conflict, or any ties that would require a recusal," the department said in a statement. President Bush agreed yesterday, calling the Enron scandal "a business problem" that can be handled by the Justice Department.

-- Records: A Connecticut agency voted unanimously to subpoena documents from Andersen, the first issued to the accounting firm by any state regulatory board in connection with the bankruptcy of Enron.

-- Curveball: The Houston Astros asked the judge overseeing Enron's bankruptcy to decide whether the baseball team must continue its naming and license agreement with the company for Enron Field. "The Houston Astros have been materially and adversely affected by the negative public perception and media scrutiny resulting from Enron's alleged bad business practices and bankruptcy," said team Vice President Pam Gardner. . Source: Chronicle news services